Medical Care

Medical Care

Focusing on the comfort of the patient, rather than on the disease or its treatment, hospice neither hastens nor postpones death. Hospice strives to bring conclusion and acceptance to a person’s life process. The team provides support for the patient, the patients’ family and extended family.

The team and hospice medical director serve as a communication link between the patient, the family, and attending physician.

Hospice may also call in specialists such as a dietitian or a therapist to meet the specialized needs of a dying person.

The Hospice Medical Team

Medical Director and Nurse Practitioner

• Oversee the physical needs, treatment, and progression of the patient’s diagnosis
• Approves pain control and symptom management measures
• On-call to help in emergent situations

Registered Nurse

• Makes regularly scheduled visits to the patient
• Keeps the medical director, nurse practitioner, and/or primary physician informed of patient’s condition
• Provides complete spectrum of skilled nursing care
• Provides expert pain control and symptom management techniques
• Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Certified Nursing Assistant/Home Health Aide

• Provides care for the activities of daily living such as bathing and dressing
• May assist with activities such as writing notes or organizing belongings
• Escorting patient on walks or outdoor leisure

Medication, Equipment, & Supplies

• All diagnosis-related medications
• Pain control and symptom management measures
• Medical equipment helpful to controlling symptoms
• Supplies useful for helping treat the symptoms and needs of patient